Car shopping is something most people have a little trouble with. It’s hard to know just what to watch for in a car. You need to be able to negotiate, as well as other things. Use this guide to make your car buying experience a whole lot easier. Schedule your paint protection every 5 years to maintain your car value.

Do not allow the salesperson to convince you to buy a car that you cannot realistically afford. If you allow it, a salesman will convince you that you need something more expensive or sporty. Salesmen earn money on commission, and some salesmen put their own financial gain before your best interests.

Do you know that it is possible to get yourself a car loan over the Internet without visiting a dealership? Part of the reason it takes so long when you buy a car is that they must check your credit score and secure a lender. If you already have a loan when you walk through the door, you will have a much faster transaction.

If you’re shopping for a used car, try to have it inspected by a mechanic not from the dealership. If the seller or dealer declines, take your business elsewhere. You want someone who has an impartial opinion and is doing things in your best interest.

Take someone along to help you car shop. They can help discern the situation, and they can fill in whichever gaps aren’t your strong points. They can be anyone from your Mom to a coworker.

Make sure that a budget is in place when you are car shopping. When shopping for a vehicle, never pay more than your budget allows, regardless of what the dealer tries to tell you. You are going to be the one who has to pay it off.

Safety features and specifications are extremely important things to consider when shopping for your next vehicle. This includes a great braking system. You should also get as many airbags as possible. Safety is key when you’ll be driving a lot.

Don’t drive an expensive car to the dealership. This type of car will cause the dealership to ignore any low offers you make, unless of course the car is one you are planning on trading.

Although you have a mental picture of the car you desire, it might be unattainable. Perhaps, you can’t get the exact features or color that you are looking for. Missing out on heated seats won’t destroy your driving experience after all.

When you start shopping, it can be helpful to invite an objective friend to accompany you. An objective party will make it easier for you to avoid basing your purchase decision on emotions. Also, they can point out the deficiencies of the car.

Once you find a car you like, make sure you check it all over for any type of damage. Check the outside of the car for scratches and dents. Check the interior area for upholstery tears and carpet stains. Remember, once you make that purchase, the car is yours. Any dents or stains found later will be your responsibility.

Before visiting a dealership, call in advance to find out whether or not your preferred make and model vehicle is on the lot. If you show up, the salesmen will do his best to get you into a car, period. You’ll just be wasting your time if they don’t have the car that you want. Call ahead and find out.

Not all dealerships operate the same way. Although auto sales associates are known for using high pressure tactics, these methods are losing effectiveness. Dealerships have begun to see that friendly sales techniques and satisfied clients are what bring people back year in and year out. You can always remove yourself from a situation involving a pushy salesman. Salespeople are a dime a dozen. There is a quality salesperson who will want to work with you.

Be sure to look for rebates before you go shopping. Many dealers offer rebates at the lot to offer some incentive toward a quick sale. Less ethical dealerships won’t even mention a rebate and then they will take the cash back themselves without you ever knowing.

Wait until you have a firm purchase price negotiated before mentioning your trade in. You might not get the absolute best trade-in price, but you sure got a great deal on the car to offset that. After all is said and done, you’ve been busy all the way up to the sale.

Do not show up at the car dealership dressed to the nines. If you look as though you have a lot of money, a salesman may not be as flexible with the price of the car.

Research is required before going to a dealership. Check into consumer’s magazines and it will help you determine the right car for you. You’ll be able to get all kinds of information. You’ll be saving money and time when you actually arrive at the dealership.

Pick a car that you know needs few repairs and for which those repairs are affordable. You don’t need to give out a bunch of money every month or two just to keep the vehicle going! Find reviews online to determine which vehicles may meet your needs without requiring repairs.

Prior to making a deal on a used car, make sure a mechanic inspects it first. This way, you can find out whether there are any problems with the car before you buy it. If it does have problems, you’ll be able to move on and look for a car that doesn’t.

Never be overly anxious when dealing a car salesperson. They will see you’re desperate and try to pressure-sell you a poor vehicle. Rather, make it seem as though you can take as much time as you need.

With any luck, these tips have helped you to feel more confident and comfortable with the car buying process. It shouldn’t be hard when you use these tips. Your hard work will pay off once you get a new car. Don’t hesitate; go car shopping today.

Have you ever had the desire to fix your own car? Car paint protection is not enough to fix your vehicle looks. It can seem hard to work through the process of getting your car repaired, but the rewards are many. You will save money as well as elongate your car’s life. Use the tips below to help you do your own car repairs.

When you visit a mechanic, make sure to ask lots of questions. These questions can involve issues you’re dealing with and what you can do to avoid them in the future. Learning how to prevent certain issues will help you save a lot of money.

Always keep and eye on the radiator to make sure that it is full. Run your car for a bit, turn off the engine and then open the hood. Do not open the radiator if the car is running. Use a dipstick to gauge how much radiator fluid you have, keeping in mind that most types need to be diluted with water.

Before allowing an auto shop to do repairs to your vehicle, ensure you are aware of the total cost. You want to make sure that you understand each and every charge, and if you do not then you need to clarify and ask questions before any work is done. If you do not communicate with your mechanic, you might be surprised with additional fees once you receive your bill.

You need to see if the mechanic has ever done work on the exact same type of car before. If they have experience with your type of car, they are more likely able to correctly diagnose and fix the problems your vehicle is having.

A good referral makes it much easier to locate a trustworthy mechanic. Get recommendations from family and friends. This lets you ask them about their experiences with that mechanic, how much it cost, and if they were satisfied. People will let you know how their experience went.

Go through your automobile’s manual and make sure to mark important pages. This will help you speak intelligently to a technician about your car when it is time to take it in. You may even discover how to solve your car problems yourself.

Keep on hand all of your car’s documentation. Keeping them in the glove compartment is smart. Auto repair professionals likely will want to see those records. The records can help them determine what is wrong with your car.

Research any auto repair service station online. This gives you an idea regarding the public’s view of the particular service and lets you know who and where you should avoid. This information can be used to locate an auto repair shop that you feel is well suited to your needs.

Try to get OEM parts for your car. These parts are the genuine article, produced by your car’s original manufacturer. It can cost a lot less to use parts that are generic, but you won’t get the most out of these things after a while. What is a cheap option now could be an expensive option later.

Do you know the signs of a low quality mechanic? If they talk to you in circles or they don’t pay attention to your questions, you may not be dealing with the best person. Make sure that you trust the person that you are working with.

If there are two tools all cars should have, it is a jack and lug-nut wrench. With that, you also need an extra tire. Most vehicles come with them, but you want to check anyway. The cost of a tow for a flat isn’t worth it! It is a whole lot easier and cheaper if you do it yourself.

You should have a do-it-yourself repair kit in your car at all times. You should definitely have the tools necessary to change a tire, if you need to. Make sure you have a wrench that can loosen the lug nuts on your tires. Also, it is wise to have screwdrivers, a ratchet set, Phillips head screwdrivers and wrenches. Don’t waste your money on bad quality tools. Solid and sturdy tools are ideal so you don’t have to worry about them malfunctioning.

Get multiple estimates if you’re in need of major service. Even though mechanics are trustworthy in general, you could still wind up paying for more than you should. Seek out shops that are reputable and are good with your vehicle’s make and model. They may have an easier time understanding what needs to be done to your car.

Replacing the bulbs on your taillights or headlights yourself can save you both time and money. While it is different with each vehicle, it is much cheaper to do it yourself. Ask whether someone you know can show you how to fix it.

It’s a great idea to consult with your friends and acquaintances when you’re in the market for a new garage or service center. Friends and family can help with recommendations. Still, you should do some research on the shops they recommend. Use online resources to see feedback from others as well.

The labor rate should be posted in your repair shop. If it is not, ask. Also ask the price of a repair, including parts. Some repair shops have details about their rates posted on the walls, but you should not hesitate to ask about rates if you do not see any information. You have a right to know how much a repair will cost and what it will consist of. Some shops will give an estimate on the repair time based on manufacturers guidelines. Some minor repairs could even be an all day job.

Don’t be intimidated by auto repair. You will feel more comfortable once you familiarize yourself with the way your vehicle works. Keep the information here in mind and refer back to it if needed. Using this article makes auto repair a lot easier.

Most of us have been helping to wash the car since we were kids, so while some of these tips are going to be well known, you may find some details here that are missing from your weekend car buff and car paint protection.

Prep work: First remove your Car Bra, lower antennas, and get anything else off the vehicle that might collect wax bits or make it harder to do a complete job.

What we need:

Wash bucket

Wash mit

All wheel safe cleaner

Wheel brush

Car Soap

Chamois

Start with a rinse first. While it is tempting to splash on the soap water and start in with the scrubbing, rinsing removes the dust and road grime first, so that we don’t sandpaper our paint job.

Stick with the method of starting at the top and working down the car with the hose, this way you save water and time. Spray off the obvious collection areas. Power washers are fine, but don’t set them too high, or get too close to your car with the nozzle.

Once you have completed the rinse, start with the wheels first. Use an ‘all wheel safe cleaner’ and brush them down with a good wheel brush. Soap brush and rinse each wheel, before moving to the next.

TIP: Check the valve stem for each wheel as you go, to insure the cap is on. Lost stem caps can result in air loss and even flat tires as dirt gets lodged into them.

At this time we are ready to soap the vehicle. Start as always on the roof and apply the soap and lightly scrub the vehicle surface in a clock wise rotation moving down to the quarter panel and around to the trunk.

Once you have completely soaped the vehicle it is time to rinse, again start at the top and work you way down and around the vehicle.

Drying the vehicle

Now we will dry the car with a chamois. Take one lap quickly around the car to get excess water off the vehicle. Wring the chamois out completely and start on the roof and work your way around until the entire vehicle is dry.

Interior cleaning

What we need:

Portable Vacuum with attachments

Clean hand towels or paper towels

Plastic or vinyl cleaner

Foaming upholstery cleaner

Leather Conditioner (optional)

Carpet Brush

First remove your car floor mats, dash mats and rubber cargo liners (or other cargo liners) from the car. Organizers, and clothes bars as well.

Start with top-down vacuuming. Begin with the head rests for the seats, and work your way down through all of the crevices to the carpet.

TIP: If you have car odor you are trying to control, spread out baking soda throughout the car before starting to vacuum. This will help pickup odors and gives you a visual guide to insure that you vacuum every area.

TIP: If you have a great deal of pet hair, use a rubber or latex glove (the kind that are sold a dishwashing gloves are perfect). You’ll also need a new bucket of water. Just wipe the hair collected area with your gloved hands and rinse the glove in the bucket. You’ll probably be amazed at how easy it is after trying to vacuum up the hair.

Once the vacuuming is complete, we can start in on the plastic and vinyl surfaces. Push the seats all the way back so that we have lots of room.

Clean and wipe all surfaces with appropriate cleaners.

TIP: Any cleaner with ammonia as an agent is not a good idea for cleaning your car interior. Ammonia is especially damaging to tinted windows.

TIP: Don’t use a product like Armor-all on your steering wheel or control pedals. This is one of those tips that you will only ignore once.

Clean and wipe all surfaces in an orderly fashion make sure to clean the door panels as well.

Remove, clean and reinstall the steering wheel cover, and gear shift boot as well.

You can use on old soft paint brush or toothbrush to get in between the cracks and vents in and around the dash and center console areas. Be sure to extend head rests and arm rest to clean any hidden areas of dirt.

Once that is complete, you can spot clean the carpeting and velour. Using the foaming cleaner spray directly on to carpet or velour. Use a carpet brush to scrub the surfaces clean and follow up with the vacuum over the carpet and seats, this will remove any excess foam. Run over the carpet one more time with dry carpet brush to apply clean stripes to the carpet.

NOTE: See our Tip Pages for Removing Coffee Stains, Grease/Sand, and Melted wax from carpet and upholstery if need. Or our Hard to fix Interior Damage article has tips on removing rust stains and fixing scratches in your plastic dash or door covers. If you have leather in the interior, see our Leather Care page as well.

Waxing the exterior

What we need:

Paste or liquid wax

Pre-wax cleaner

Several micro fiber towels

Time to move in out of the sun.

Its never a good idea to wax a car in direct sunlight. What we want as well is some control over the temperature of the car’s surface. So don’t star right away. Let the surface temperature cool down a bit before you start.

If your vehicle is light colored and it has been a considerable amount of time since the last wax you will want to use the pre-wax cleaner. This step removes any stains or dirt that has worked its way into the paint surface.

To apply the wax, start with the roof and apply a light coat and if possible apply in the same direction as the panel. In other words, do not swirl around when applying simply wipe back in forth from front to back. This will eliminate any cob webbing affects that can occur when viewing the car in the sun.

To remove the wax simply start where you began and remove the wax by wiping back and fourth with a clean micro fiber towel. Do no use paper towels or regular towels as they can scratch the paint’ surface.

Final Detail

What we need:

Several clean micro fiber towels

Tooth brush (to remove any wax left behind in the cracks)

Window cleaner (no ammonia)

Begin by taking a quick lap around the car and remove the majority of any wax left behind. Now clean the windows inside and out using a window cleaner, if your windows are tinted, make sure you use a window film safe cleaner (no ammonia).

Now it is time to “detail” the car. Start at the fender and wipe it down paying close attention for any wax left behind. Wipe down any chrome or trim moldings as needed and continue around the vehicle under. If your hands have touched every inch of the car, chances are you are complete. Take one last looks around to be sure nothing was missed.

NOTE: Car covers can really make a difference in the condition of your car. They help save the paint from scratches and dirt build up, they also keep the interior cool, and safe from UV and sun bleaching damage. In the winter, sand and salt damage are common problems car covers help protect you

Article Source: https://EzineArticles.com/expert/Mary_Fitzpatrick/52896

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